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Monday, 11 June 2012

RIP Karen Sherlock

Here is here twitter profile : "Chronic Spoonie, lots wrong. ESA stopped by this inhumane government. Preparing for dialysis. Each day is tough."

Karen embodied our fight in almost every way. She was desperately ill. Her kidneys were failing, putting a huge strain on her body. Ultimately it seems she died of a cardiac arrest. An operation had recently been cancelled at the last minute, though I have no idea why or if it is relevant to her death.

She had been found capable of some work by the DWP. Placed in the Work Related Activity Group, her Employment and Support Allowance was time limited to one year after the welfare reform bill went through. Not only that, but it was limited retrospectively, meaning that she only had a few months left to appeal for long term support (Support Group) before she lost everything.

I won't go into more detail here. It's not for me to list her complaints and trials, but there is one thing everyone in this country should know.

She was terrified. Beside herself with fear. She lived her last months desperately scared that her family would not survive the onslaught it faced. She was "the most vulnerable" whatever that is. The system failed her and she spent her last precious moments in this world fighting. For herself, for her family and for others.

She was one of us. She was Spartacus. And now she's dead and she died in fear because the system failed her, because cruel men refused listen and powerful men refused to act.

She spent her last months fighting for the "security" of £96 a week and the reassurance that it couldn't be taken away. She won her battle. Just two weeks ago she was finally put into the Support Group of ESA. After months of unbearable stress, resilient commitment and endurance beyond comprehension, she won her battle.

But she lost her war and we must all make sure that whatever comes, we win that war in her name and in the names of the many thousands more fighting for life and dignity.

Just how does Clegg sleep at night? I can't begin to express my anger and disgust adequately without resorting to gutter language, so I will stop there. RIP Karen and let's hope that finally somebody who needs to listen will actually listen.

How is it Clegg's fault? It's a sad story, let's take nothing away from it. But having lived next door to two sets of scummers who've never worked and claim incapacity (yet have Citeh season tickets, nice big TVs, cars, and impressive coke habits), well... sorry... I'm all for these cuts.

Again: THIS is a tragedy and it's a sad and depressing case of ineptitude which left this poor woman in this position. She had a terminal disease and couldn't work. No, the fault here is with the uncaring and/or incompetent morons assigned to care for our needy.

One Paulo that is exactly the kind of attitude that the con/dem's are feeding off, this is why another of my disabled friends, one who runs her own firm as well as looking after twins alone from her wheelchair, had a lighted cigarette thrown at her in the street and someone called out take that you benefit scrounger, she doesn't even claim benefits. Yes there are scammers but because of them and the con/dem's tunnel vision over 100 people so far have commited suicide out of fear and that's the number the govt is admitting to, so it's probably 3 times that figure in reality, so hang your head in shame onepablo.

once we get to the 800 figure of deaths then we can claim that this country is like Syria without the bombing the true figure will only ever be known in an enquiry at a later date and justice done then

the democratic counties like the uk often get away with murder as the crime is unseen and unpublished as it normally is stress related the death being unseen gives the impression all is well but with computers that's no longer the case a death can now be played out on twitter for all to read

after the death the spouse then tweets it's all over and give the reasons why

I've known many people die prior to computers hence my bad mental state today

She was a very good blogger, raising important issues, and she will be sadly missed. However, lets remember a few simple facts: whilst she found the damned system very harsh, the system isnt new (disabled people have always had to justify and explain how their disability affects them) and she died because of her kidney disease and subsequent complications, not from starvation, lack of health care, cold or homelessness.The moral of the story is the need to work towards a universal decent citizens wage for all, regardless of disability or means.

I know you'll never see this now, but "she died because of her kidney disease and subsequent complications, not from starvation, lack of health care, cold or homelessness."

By two weeks. 2 weeks!!!! Just two weeks earlier, she faced all of those things. It was only her utter resilience that ensured the decision was reversed and she was forced to find that resilience in the last month of her life. As you'll never see this, I'd like to finish by saying you totally missed the point, you utter utter prick

Karen aka Pusscat used to say those exact words to me, "how do they sleep at night". We had just turned a major corner in our lives and she was just starting to smile again, only for her to ripped away. And my family wonder why we wanted to get out.

hopefully it will come to that this blog is very powerful and you can never tell on who will read it it only takes the mindset of a newspaper or a wealthy person to highlight this story in a vengeance that will bring this government down

What does it matter how the muderers, Iain Duncan Smith, David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Chris Grayling sleep at night? Worry about what these four criminals do in broad daylight, all in the name of serving their paymasters, us (the voters). I notice the BBC, (for which we also pay) never mentions the very serious, tragic side effects to the bogus health assessments and the equally devastating 'sanctioning'(stopping)of job seekers allowance. Why dosen't the BBC ever mention the hundreds of suicides associated with David Cameron's hasty rush to impose draconian welfare reforms. After all he is the fellow allways asking if we feel 'happy' and determined to change things - for the best - when he discovered most citizens of this country actually feel extremely unhappy. The brief stories portrayed in the accompanying posts deserve a much wider audience, perhaps a proper 'fitting' newpaper investigation and we also need a deep look into the problems caused when DWP casually sanction a job seekers allowance, especially the inexplicable habit of stopping all payments for six months. I see there is a story in the Gaurdian re a benefit 'scrounger', although, it seems, perhaps deserved benefit, (since they say his condition has worsened and if he were scrounging, he wouldn't have any condition at all.) Something needs doing right now, immediately, forget appealing to other MPs, and their self-serving chatter. The deaths mentioned in the posts here, the facts (and old photographs) need presenting, tabloid style to the public and ask the public, is this what you want? Please will you contact The Telegraph, heck even try Rupert Murdock, he at least already knows there's a lack of jobs in the UK. Oh there is also the EU Courts now, why not find a lawyer who will present these cases and the others to the Court of Human Rights? With a view to accusing IDS, David Cameron, Clegg&Grayling.

We shall not forget her or what she suffered at the hands of a cruel system that has been allowed to break the vulnerable without any fear of legal retribution. My thoughts are with her husband and family and what they must now be suffering.

"the system failed her, because cruel men refused listen and powerful men refused to act.... She was one of us. She was Spartacus." S.M. May God Bless you Karen and keep you, may his face shine upon you... Rest In Peace... Rise in Glory! You are just across the 'river... My heart goes out to her family and friends... Love Never fades...neither is it lost...the sting of death is in the parting!

How can you possibly think this is true? Just think about it for one minute. Do you really think that someone from, say, Algeria, gets more benefits or more quickly dispensed benefits than someone born in Alperton? Why would anyone do that anyway?

If you see someone from, say, Algeria, (and how would you know they're not from here unless you speak to them?) how do you know how long they've waited, how much they're getting in benefits - or whether they're claiming any benefits at all?

All the same but true. They do get priority/always have but hopefully not forever. I see there is a cap on earnings for immigrants of twenty thousand. If they can't earn it they can no longer come here. Put that in your pipe and smoke it!

When a person claims benefit when they are a foreign national, they not only have to go through exactly the same tests but also have to prove that they are normally resident in the UK. This extra test means that a foreign national also always has to wait longer than a brit for their benefits. If you don't believe me then by all means, put in a freedom of information request to DWP.

Why do people from outside this country get priority for benefits over people in this country.

The same tabloids, TV shows and radio shows that have programmed you to believe that immigrants have priority over native Brits in receiving benefits, are the same tabloids, TV shows and radio shows that insist that the majority of people that claim sickness benefits, are lazy benefit scroungers who are perfectly fit and healthy, but are faking their illnesses so that they can leech of the hardworking taxpayer and relax at home everyday watching Jeremy Kyle on their taxpayer funded 3D flatscreen television and play video games all day, which leads to a significant proportion of the British public supporting the government removing sick and disabled people from Employment and Support Allowance which they need to receive to survive.

Completely agree R32. Asylum seekers get £35/week, they do get accommodation but can be put anywhere in the UK - the social housing waiting list is dreadful, but I doubt most people would want to queue-jump on those conditions, we just need more social housing. My Canadian friends who are here as a student + spouse aren't entitled to anything at all, even though they're Commonwealth citizens. EU citizens can claim Jobseekers' once they've worked in the UK for a year - but so could you if you lived elsewhere in Europe.

Both this government and the last have found it convenient to spread lies about Scroungers and Immigrants taking all the money, to distract us from cuts in the top rate of tax, VAT rises, and tax avoidance by the ultra-rich. The richest 1% of the population now gets 14% of all the income, a share that's been increasing continuously since 1979 - that's where the money has been going, not to phantom 'benefit scroungers'.

well said r32 we are all led by the nose by the tabloids and news media ,pushed to hate one group then another ,all the while governments are laughing because divide and rule is the perfect way to control any population.we as a people living together in the uk should join together and help any group that is under threat for no real reason other than dogma or pure government greed.

You said that right! Isn't it MP's who have all their houses filled with flat-screen TV's, massaging chairs duck houses and motorbikes? Since nothing's changed in the expenses department, why not take a good look at how much these people are costing the country? Turn the searchlight on MPs again, make the little 'pie-charts showing how much they cost as compared to unemployment, which they are causing. Instead of allowing MPs a chance to hound people to an early death.

So sad.. RIP Karen - another person battling with a poor governments choice on where to make cuts... How do they sleep at night!! When families are being torn apart.Heart goes out to Karen's family and friends

Maybe the government should plug money in to getting people to understand organ donation.. That would cut huge costs to the nhs who struggle and keep people alive.

my husband died 2 months ago they cut off my tax credits for 2 months without saying(think it was because I had actually informed them he had passed away)prob would have have been ok if I had just left it!! and my son with special needs nearly suffered for that.. luckily I have 2 brothers who gave up some of their money to help out!!!In the end all I got was oohh you will be getting another tax credits form sent to you soon to reapply for this year!and something about oohh just put a note in with it to explain ...

I chatted with pusscat.. Can't stop crying.. Left twitter 2 days ago so only just heard.. So afraid & tired.. Now Karen is gone & it all just carries on.. People know me as twowolves & know I can only be saved by removing me from the fear of dreaded face to face assessments & why.. Family, friends, GP, Consultants, CPN's DWP all know everything but impossibly I have to get it all from them.. It's all there as it was for Karen.. I feel I am slowly dying from not eating & fear etc is now causing extra physical disease.. No matter how hard I try I cannot improve without a real reversal of my position.. The terror does not begin with the brown envelope arriving.. I have been in relapse for 2 years now, after 10 years relatively stable, with no idea when or how often I will be reassessed for ESA & PiP.. I'm not being selfish saying I I I.. I'm just another Spartaci whisper like Karen but like 1,000's of others I can be saved & for less money.. All the extra support trying to save me could be saved with just a few phone calls to release me from this limbo hell.. I am so distressed that all I can think to do for Karen & her family right now is highlight this heart breaking aspect of her life which affects so many of us... I don't want to leave twitter & lose friends & support.. I'm an ordinary disabled woman but wasn't a part of any disabled group or community.. The only extreme group I am in is 'The Extremely Distressed & Afraid.'.. I am very private but finally joined twitter for the Spartacus Campaign.. I haven't been rude on twitter & don't think I need to be ashamed of any of my tweets.. In fact I realised they are a diary that shows my decline.. So why leave?.. I'm not a criminal.. I've got no debts.. Not because they are wrong but because they scare me; I can either pay or not.. I feel I have to leave because the very people who want to criminalise me, & make it impossible to prove my innocence, seem to be the one's doing criminal things & I am afraid of being misrepresented & punished even more... I'm sorry for going on.. It is a part of me & why I don't comment often.. Today is different Karen.. I am not brave but I am sharing a part of my story beside you & have already given permissions to family & friends on twitter to show my journey should I meet you again sooner than I choose to or need to.... I say that with a very sad heart & with respect & care to your famiy & friends.. It does mean something for part of our journey to be shared & remembered...

pussycat you be missed by us all its discusting how this happened again and again by those who goven us and cant see whot they doing to the sick and disabled but sadly you gone and will be missed by us jeff3 go and fly and reach the stars

The whole system is wrong first they say you need 15 to get ESA then they say right you could do some work related activity without any medical back up meaning job centre interviews risk of coursers and unlimited workfare or no benefits and if you have a working partner no matter how I'll you are it's just for a year.

Support group is just a farce you must get 15 points and tick one of eight I think criteria which no matter how ill some of us are if our illness doesn't include incontinence or blackouts we will never get into even if we score 50 points in the first place.

This is a very sad story. Its not the bill its the authortarian way it is implemented. The idea is to get those that can work off the benefit system(s) so abused in recent years. Its great to hear that people like Karen beat the 'system.' RIP Karen.

It has nothing to do with reducing abuse of benefits. Fewer people in Britain claim disability benefits than in the US, and our figures are compatible with other European countries. Fraud is minimal by the Government's own figures - 0.3% for DLA.

This is the result of the use of ESA disability-denial factories to reduce the welfare bill because of the grotesque greed of bankers and corporations who reduced our economy to a basket case.

The most vulnerable paying for the most privileged.

This is so sad, I can hardly think to type. Don't let Karen's death be in vain. We must redouble our efforts to fight this evil.

RIP Karen, so sad, and my condonences to her family. But as another who is trying to beat these b****ds it's upsetting. But we must keep on going if not for ourselves but for those kids that will soon find themselves caught up in this hellish cycle and those who will unfortunately become ill or disabled at some point who don't realise what life is like for us.

My deepest condolences for all of you who loved and knew Karen. My own time down the deep dark well of having no income, no support and yet having to prove to people something that they cannot take your word for just so that you can survive still haunts and scars me. I was able to climb from my dank prison into brightness but it breaks my heart that Karen had to endure the hole she was plunged into until so close to her end. I did not know Karen, but I will be thinking of her as a true heroine. And I'm furious about that. How callous to deliver wars and battles to someone as vulnerable as her and force such bravery and heroism on those who just want and need our help.

I would ask everyone to email Sue's piece about Karen to MPs and newspapers (national and local) so everyone can see for themselves the kind of people we are governed by and the consequences of their vile policies. Remember, the Daily Mirror reported that 32 people a week die after being put in the same group as Karen - capable of some work.

Poor brave Karen and her family, my heart goes out to them. I really hope that her story is picked up by the mainstream media, not just buried in an on-line newspaper'social' section. a few months ago i would have used my profile name not 'anonymous' to comment but we are all hiding now..... all those years I paid NIC, paid my mortgage ... what next, scrounging old people wanting pensions if they are not all ready dead by 66?

Like many, I only heard of Karen's story today. My thoughts are with her family and friends. She has shown true courage in the face of appaling and cruel adversity.

I think the idea of making sure IDS and his cronies hear what their crass, cumbersome and downright unjust policies are doing to good and decent people. I wonder though, if we should be sensitive to the family's wishes and seek their permission to do this. If they agree, 1000s of message can be sent quickly and easily to MPs and direct to IDS, Cameron & Clegg. It might also be possible to get sensitive media coverage, although I am always a bit wary of the media lest they trample all over the family, who need to channel their energy into grieving.

We never met but i have followed the twitter feed of sue marsh all day.

Its a heartbreaking read that a seriously ill person is bullied by the system, this system was set up to protect people who needed help now it bully's them it is in no way acceptable and should not be forgotten.

If another Country needs aid our government is happy to send it.

"Judge the United Kingdom not by how it supports others but by how it supports its own people" .

might have went abit off track and for that i am sorry but the powers that be need to understand life is very precious and everyone should be supported.

Shocking and heart-breaking, and very sadly the sort of situation we will be seeing more and more of. My condolences to the family and friends of this brave woman.Over the last week, I have been following the Guardian's coverage of the jubilee workfare scandal where unpaid workfare slaves were so appallingly treated. The fact that Karen, though so very ill, was originally put in the WRAG ESA group, means that in theory she too could have been expected to do this sort of "work experience". There aren't really words to describe the horrendousness of this inhumane system.

My heart goes out to Karen's family, her death is tragic. She should never have been placed in the WRAG group and her case is a shockingly sad example of how the system failed her. It is too easy though to comment on a subject when you are not aware of the full facts. As a job centre adviser I can assure you that work experience is entirely voluntary and Karen would never have been 'expected' to be involved in any sort of work experience. It is aimed at 18-24 year olds that have no work record and are finding it difficult to get a job. It does actually benefit some people. Unfortunately, the issues affecting Karen were primarily due to the fact that there aren't enough civil servants resulting in poor customer service. When the need for more staff became apparent a large number were recruited and the training was rushed. This is not the fault of the worker but the fault of the employer, in this case DWP. However, the vast majority of civil servants are caring, hard working and take on enormous caseloads, for example, I have a caseload of 100 young people. I am not an unusual example. Obviously the changes to ESA have had a terrible effect on a number of people and many things need to change but please don't make the system out to be something it is not. Sometimes it appears incompetent but is horrendously understaffed. It is however controlled by those that don't understand the full needs of those claiming or the demands on their staff.

Sadly I only found out about Karen today, as many here did.For Karen the struggle is over, but for her family the agony continues. I wish them well, and hope they will find peace soon.I agree that we must continue the fight and I would like this story to be more widely known, but as others have said we need to respect the privacy of the family so I shall just RT and FB the story and hope others learn from it.RIP Karen

i have read this and i am so sad, i am fighting for my few quid a week to survive on, i have been waiting for 8 months now and the stress it adds on a day to day basis is incredible, i have thought before that it would be better to just give up, after reading this though i know that i must keep on living a life, and make sure we all try and help and support each other, i am so very sorry for your loss,

I think if everyone who comments on here also writes to their MP about this and sends any links to the blogs that are being written about Karen's awful story it may just help. It is too late for Karen, but it might just prevent another person from having to go through the same thing. We have to keep trying.

atos workers if anything happens to you do not complain,you Did choose to work for this company and Fully understand what you are participating in,you are the lowest of the lowest.my heart goes out to all the fighters on this site.

This poor lady's experience is a disgrace to our country.Instead of hearing on the news about Cameron leaving his child in the pub,people should know what is really happening to vulnerable people and their families.My deepest sympathies to her loved ones.RIP

There are already so much misery in the world, without adding man-made, deliberate targeting of the most vulnerable by one of the most nastiest government in living memory. Maybe the disabled movement needs a face, a story and such a tragedy to bring a change of heart in public opinion. I did not know Karen, but her story, her fight and ultimately the battle she lost cannot leave indifferent.A.Bellows

there is the answer right there.a face that is high up in public life.one that is not phased by camoron and his cronies.one who deplores unjustified suffering.one who knows the difference between right and wrong.someone who can shout loud enough to be heard.someone respected by the press and the media.someone that is wealthy.someone that has nothing to lose.

these are the qualifications needed for a good fight.

someone come up with a good suggestion for such a person and i will write to them without delay,, just like everyone else should.

R.I.P MrsB aka Karen. I only knew you for a few months on the forum and we had a few late night laughs,chatting a load of cobblers.We will never give up the fight and when the day comes your name will never be forgotten.Love alwaysPhil xxx

RIP,a sad and shocking account. The Tories will only look after their own, if you have no inherited wealth you are of no concern to them. I don't think they have ever pretended otherwise, but people still vote for them, I've no idea why.

What a disgrace to be treated so badly. RIP. It's all so wrong anyway. We can easily afford an unconditional basic income guarantee of £15,000 for all adults funded by the automated payment transaction tax.

In Karen's name we must keep fighting. There are no depths to which this government (and the other lot, for that matter) and the capitalist system will not sink. They must all be overthrown before we can have justice and fairness for ordinary people, not those who got us into this mess and who couldn't give two hoots about us.

R.I.P. Condolenses to this poor ladies family. This is a terrible story, but one that is becoming more and more common. Money seems more important to this Government than Life. If anybody is due to go for a Medical with ATOS insist straight away for it to be recorded. They need notice to get the equipment, so tell them as soon as you get re-called. Lets hope that we can stop what happened to Karen happening to anyone else xxx

My very sincerest condolences to you Nigel and to all of your family. I myself have fought the DWP and taxman on and off for over 30 years yes 30 years and i can tell you now in that you are scared although I'm never quite sure as to what I'm scared of and my psychiatrist has to keep an eye on me to control my anger as I've always believed that the government's of the day were out to get me one way or the other

He used to say no that was madness to think like that but now he is having to agree and that those with Schizophrenia do have the ability to sense that all is not well around them and it's not imaginary as first thought and with much regret there is no cure as the persecution is forever ongoing

This truly dreadful tale is all to common in the past when we didn't have computers the abuse went on and no one was any the wiser but today with computers we all now can see and feel the anguish and pain of others and it can not any longer be just buried under the carpet but is out in the open for all to see

When will this nightmare end well for me it's to late but i do hope and pray that someone reading this blog can and will take legal action against the government and bring about it's downfall sooner rather then later when much more deaths have come about through the severe stress that these policy's cause to innocent people

Their should be no hiding place for those that commit pain and suffering on others and if i were the prime minister i would hunt you down and make sure that those responsible in the handling of this case went to prison for at least 20 years as a warning that if you attempt to destroy the life of others then i will destroy your life and at the end of the day it's as simple as that

A friend and colleague died in the last year of complications of similar conditions to Karen. Despite the pain, the misery and the complications of the conditions, coupled with the seemingly incessant roadblocks thrown up by those that wield power, she was nevertheless resolute in her efforts, fought tooth and nail for what she needed and deserved and did so with clear knowledge and rationality.

This clearly describes Karen as well. I don't doubt it is the badge and watchword of a Spartacus. The fight goes on. Someone has to topple the filth in their ivory towers scattering their scraps as if those greatest in need should be grateful for "reform" when they mean "reduction", for "fairness" when they mean "meanness", and for "assessment" when they mean "refusal".

I despise what this country has become - a background for the fascist, the bigot and the privileged to force its will on to the collective body of its people. The fight goes on because it has to. The Spartaci are clearly a force to be reckoned with as well, as government duck and dodge them out of fear and the fact that it doesn't play well on a world stage to have those greatest in need organise and show intelligently and frequently what a godawful shower they are "in power"

this is disgusting cant even think of anything good to say about this just that our goverment should pull there finger out and sort it feel so sorry for the family R.I.P karen people will continue to fight for what they deserve xx

lest you forget that EVERYDAY, ATOS, the SS arm of the Government's attack on the disabled and chronically sick, is successfully meeting it's objectives - "we can not afford the disabled, they are under-folk" , they have no value.ATOS is killing people who they see as unproductive.....there is only meaning through work, and by god they will make you fit for work, even as your body fails they pass you as fit to work... Karen Sherlock has been killed without a gas chamber..

RIP Karen. I did'nt know you but you have moved me. You are Spartacus. I am Spartacus. We WILL win this battle but you are one of many who will be sacrificed in the fight. I am so sorry on behalf of this country for how we made your suffering worse. You will not be forgotten. x

I have no words left to comment except to sa ythat I agree with Peter, above. I have sent out this distressing news and our friend John Pring, at DNS, will write about Karen.My thoughts are with Karen's family.

I quote from the above blog text:----extract starts----She spent her last months fighting for the "security" of £96 a week and the reassurance that it couldn't be taken away. She won her battle. Just two weeks ago she was finally put into the Support Group of ESA. After months of unbearable stress, resilient commitment and endurance beyond comprehension, she won her battle.

But she lost her war and we must all make sure that whatever comes, we win that war in her name and in the names of the many thousands more fighting for life and dignity. ----extract ends----

I am reminded of the statement often made about some committed, hardworking people, that they only allow themselves time to desist from their efforts when holiday time appears. It seems to me that something inside Karen saw her through to winning her case in trail-blazing fashion while the stress of institutional opposition added to the terminal nature of the condition that in reality qualified her for ESA Support Group entitlement.

I believe that when David Cameron, et al, talk about protecting the interests of "decent, hardworking families" we need to take the opportunity to ask them -- albeit in 'open letter' form -- whether they still consider people like Karen, who take on collective strength as campaigners while terminally ill, to be 'workshy'.

while the atos para olympic torch burns with shame and all challenged people taking part in this pr stunt . i hope you give a thought to this lady pussy ?she sounds as if she was much loved unique a good heart and spirited women. my thoughts are with your family and friends. atos need more then a torch to brighton this dark episode .

Wonder what Oliver Cromewell would say? He argued against the Kings immoral values as he said that the governments role was to be put in place by the people to work for the people. Turning in his grave I should imagine?

The evils of the people in power (if i can use that term to describe the likes of them ) will not be forgotten or go unpunished. They may consider themselves invincible, but many in the past have thought that , until the tide of will and action caught up with them. All those who have died at the hands of the DWP and its NAZI leader Iain Duncan Smith are heroes and heroines of the highest order. They did not choose to ill or vulnerable, yet have been blamed by a sick and twisted mind i can only liken to that of Himmler or Hitler himself. Well IDS may have his final solution, but that of the people will catch up with him first.RIP all those who have lost their lives because of this man and his government and its evil policies.

And to make matters worse i have received emails from some mp's to say they read this blog well it's about time they shared there views here and not just read the blog and pretend all is well just goes to show how weak and spineless they are

It's like being in the middle ages I am sure in this oh so much supposed modern world. When will it all end with our ineffective impotent democracy. It is bully bully bully all the way by the corrupt monsters in the houses of parliament and lords.

I personally assimilate with this brave lady Karen. If there is a "King?"dom of Heaven, I know what types will not be entering it, those with bowel retention necessity that being all politicians especially of the Conservative flavour and those who vote for them.

I am so sad to read about the passing away of Karen, what a wonderful lady she was!

Nigel, my deepest sympathies go out to you and your family.

Rest in Peace Karen, I would rather you have still be here though, your strength and courage are need now more than ever before - who will pick up your gauntlet now and ride that white horse in to battle on behalf of those who can't ride themselves?

Like Karen, and many others, I too have had to fight the DWP and ATOS over my ESA, but unlike many I have am lucky (I use the word lucky sarcastically)in that I have 17 illnesses which have an adverse affect on my day to day living, one of which causes my heart to slow down, blood pressure to drop and I blackout out! Eventually I was placed in the Support Group. The fight though has made things worse and I am now suffering more than ever before.

The one question I have always asked is - who will employ many of us - employment legislation states that an employer has a care of duty, and must insure their employees! Friends of mine who run their own businesses state; that in many case when the DWP send them disabled candidates - they are unable to employ the person due tot he fact the insurance risk is too great, that the person would be a danger in the workplace. They state that since the introduction of ESA this situation worsening by the week? In appropriate candidates been sent for interviews? It is not that they don't want to employ disabled people, it is that they can't due to the risks involved! It make me wonder - did Mr Clegg, and his cohorts, not consider this aspect, or is it simply, as in the case of Karen and many others, they simply do not give a damn?

When told i lost and fir for work i found myself at the end of a pier in my wheelchair contemplating my life.After my accident i turned my life to helping others but this is thrown back at me as a reason to work.Volunteered but penalized for doing so ,Doing what i did,got out of bed and out to volunteer was wrong,but if i stayed in bed to midday its ok.Something needs to be done before more people die.Does /will the Government except this as unfit to work

this is very sad and very scary, what has happened to this country this government has lost touch with the sick and poor while they get richer. they penalise the sick and disabled with the complicated form filling in, when there at there most vulnerable.these so called health official's that assessed her should hang there heads in shame, what planet are they on.the only persons that are qualified to assess a person is there own GP and that's what the government should be sorting your own GP and consultants are the best judges to assess if a person is fit to work. every body failed this poor lady i am so upset

i am so worried, about the future i am in support group but i had a fight on my hands to get it, as i was originally put in the working activity group, every time i have a medical atos keep changing what group i am placed in they don't read my medical reports and its only when i get a decision maker to look at it again and go over all the papers and reports on my health they then change me back to support group. every year i have to go through this and my health has deteriorated every time,i don't no when my next medical will be it worries me again, why don't these officials read the doctors reports as mine has stated i will never work again i am nearly 60 and this could go on for years me fighting the officials but i will

This is so very very sad, I could not believe that a so called civilised society can treat seriously ill people like this!! I hope that change will come about through Karen's story. I was eventually placed in support group after atos nurse gave me zero points and a long and painful appeal....then another form in a matter of weeks...thank goodness the doctor who saw me for second medical advised I was left in support group...a friend of mine who has been mentally ill for the last 30 years, hears voices all the time and struggles to just exist was put in the work related group without even having a medical. The poor man is under such stress from it all he is almost certainly going to end up back in hospital or worse!! He tried but failed to take his own life before.This government must be held to account! Justice screams from the rooftops to stop it! I really don't know how Cameron , Clegg and co can sleep at night! Perhaps they've been given a nice malt whisky as a thank you for making their multi millionaire friends even richer by cutting their tax!!!!!!!!!!!!!

so sorry they will pay one day for the blood on there handslife in the u k will never be the same, it will get worse untill the goverment comes all the way to there end. the madness we see now is just the start of the end.of freedom. sorry to the family

Tragic and an unnecessary loss---that poor girl--she has died in fear---I really have so much anger --our country is going backwards--we are turning a blind eye , letting the system win--what can be done--it is a very scary time for the future

Let's all get it right.....IT WAS LABOUR THAT STARTED THIS! LABOUR THAT ENGAGED ATOS, LABOUR THAT CONTRACTED THEM.Brown and his incompetent bunch of cronies were the ones that are to blame!So how about asking the present government why they are still using Labour's stupid, cruel, incompetent and absolutely useless plans.Perhaps, Just Perhaps, if MP's are enlightened to the plight of the innocent diasbled and sick people and it is pointed out that it was the last government that are to blame they may do something because there is political mileage in doing something, they could play the good guy role in exposing another absolute balls up committed by Labour and albeit too late for many, perhaps put it right.Of course you can't expect Labour MP's to have anything to do with this, perhaps that is why they are hiding away from the despicable situation and perhaps they are now thinking "Thank god the flack for this Fopar is not heading our way" Perhaps they are staying quiet because it is politically a good move for them to do so.

Its the tories that are gonna start stopping peoples disability living allowance from 2013 though!!. Cameron is worth a reputed £60 million but he still claimed DLA for his disabled son. He is now about to stop it for hundreds of thousands of sick and disabled people who have nothing, and i daresay ATOS will get the contract!!!

Oh.. tears flowing freely here now. I did not know Karen but I both am and know so many like her who have had to jump through increasingly painful, dignity destroying hoops to get the help they need. My last 2 forms for my benefits caused me to have multiple seizures with the stress and humiliation of having to fill them out. Being asked how many times I have to change my clothes because I lose continence is a wonderful question to be asked when they are assessing your fitness for work. This is wrong in so many ways and I don't think I have the strength of will to fight it if I am denied. I don't care which political party started this, it needs to end now.

I have read so many similar disgusting stories, but this is just 1 of the most heartbreaking.My heart goes out to her husband, family & friends.such a brave & inspirational lady.I have helped a few people overturn serious iffy decisions, only wish I'd have encountered her story sooner & could maybe have helped.What people need to realise is that ATOS staff do not have the power to over-rule evidence & advice from specialists who have amassed a great deal of evidence to back up a persons illness/disability. ATOS staff are always far less qualified than the specialist a patient see's. The GMC take a dim view of individuals/companies bringing the profession into disrepute & it is a serious offence for a nurse to misrepresent their qualifications as equivalent to that of a doctor. Doctors know it is a serious offence to misrepresent their qualifications to cover specialities outside their knowledge and experience. This is a point you MUST bring up in any appeal & watch their faces when you do - because they don't expect you to know this. This 1 piece of advice has helped many fight unjust decisions.

Also you should write letters of complaint & send to the DWP with copies sent to the GMC & BMA & ATOS. The more complaints each ATOS 'health assesor' receives will mean they will eventually be dismissed & the more complaints the medical standards bodies receive, the more likely they will be to start getting involved, as it is already eating into Doctors time having to write reports in defence of genuinely ill/disabled people. I worked for the DWP (Benefits Agency as was) for 7 years - the system was fair before this Hitler style regime was introduced, it was accepted that people such as Karen were entitled to benefits without question with evidence from GP's/Specialists - this is all being done in the false name of getting 'scroungers' off benefits they are 'blagging' off the state. There is a bigger problem with fraud related to other benefits, foreigners claiming in multiple names, people having nice little NHS holidays by getting off a plane, feigning illness, then being fixed up for free on British tax payers money & being sent on their merry way, asylum seekers receiving more than our own people, few questions asked - whilst people like Karen have to fight tooth & nail to get what they are entitled to, when they are too sick to be dealing with this. We can all see that Cameron & Co have whipped up a frenzy to make the general public vilify the disabled & tar them with the fraudulent claim brush. I can tell you that DWP staff hate this system, they know it's unfair & is causing them more hassle than the previous system.

Makes me sick to my stomach when I think that David Cameron, a multi-millionaire had the gall to claim benefits for his son, help from charities & had a nanny to take all the pressure off, & as soon as he get's into power, he takes these things away in such underhand ways, from people who desperately need the help. Millionaire benefit scroungers have to be the lowest of the low don't they?Keep fighting, involve your MP if you are getting nowhere - get help from the CAB or other free organisations out there that are fighting this cause. At least 32 people are dying every week due to this scam, how many more have to die before this is seen as corporate manslaughter by government?RIP Karen, a true inspirational woman & a tragedy of a system that is totally unfit for purpose.

I cannot believe how angry I am right now. I feel so very sorry for her family. Karen needn't have struggled this way. We have idiots who get things wrong at every level of assessment. GP's not supporting applications/assessments efficiently and BLOODY ATOS cold hearted callous 'I'm alright Jack' heartless morons in charge of whether a sick woman gets her measly benefit to simply survive. Now we have a Eugenics phase entering the UK Nazi party, 3 strikes and yer out, no more kids than that, irrespective of culture/religion. What next sterilisation. We've had that already in this country!!! Watch out, daily it's getting worse. Shock & Awe from Cameron. Every day we get more unbelievable news! God bless your beautiful soul Karen, and thank you for your strength in fighting, little did you know you empowered so many of us and WE will not give up either!

I have kidney failure and fear that i may become another victim of Cameron and Duncan smiths murderous ways!!. I didnt know Karen, but i do know how difficult it is to live with serious illness. Too many good people are dying at the hands of Cameron, good people like Karen!.Cameron is a despicable man. Before the 2010 general election he reassured sick and disabled people that he knew the hardships what they endured, because of his disabled son!. How wrong people were to trust him!. Not only is this man reputed to be worth £60 million, but he also claimed Disability living allowance in respect of his son!! He then denies sickness benefits to seriously ill people like Karen. Mr Cameron, i hope that when your time to leave this world comes, that it is very slow and very painful!. I hope that there is such a thing as reincarnation, and next time round you are not born with 'a silver spoon' in your mouth!!.You need to pay for the evil deeds that you are doing!!. R.I.P Karen. You are now with the angels. The likes of David Cameron and Ian Duncan Smith can no longer pester you!!

take heart* brave young things!the UN* has a charter on independent living*covered by Article19*of the Human-rights of,people with disabilities!the UK* ratified it in 2008*it's now recognised by the EU*if you are not aware Cameron is petrified by being seen to do the "right" thing*now to all you fighter's* out there!remind everyone you can Article19*Condem's sign up to it*it's the law!who am I?Richard*recovering from brain heamohagge in 1990*sitting smiling! as I watch the Conservatives destroy themselves*now in memory of Karen*get out there and kick-ass!love you all!Richard McTaggart*Wiltshire*

Look how tough this unelected multimillionaire junta are with the Karens of this world, yet in the face of multibillion pound tax swindling by the super-rich and corporations, they seem to have turned in their balls. Bastards. They will pay.

But there is blood on the hands of all UK politicians, NOT just the coalition. The way the disabled, sick and needy of this country have been treated has been deteriorating for years, and it has now come to a head. If you want to be angry at the government, be also angry at the Oppositions who have served for the past decade or so. They could have put more pressure than they have on the changes. They could be standing up and doing something, other than spouting empty words.

This would be no different would the Prime Minister be a man with a red tie instead of blue.

I am very sorry to hear about Karen. I read and thought about her blog many times. This cannot be right. We cannot have fought two World Wars to accept that ordinary people in terrible circumstances are treated so badly.

All my thoughts are with Karen and her family at this distressing time.

It never ceases to amaze me how this country has so many people in it who do nothing but blow hot air. Every last one of you who has posted here are just gas bags. All talk and no action, doing nothing constructive and wasting hours on end moaning and sneering about how this person and that person is doing this wrong and that wrong but you do absolutely nothing about it. Actions speak louder than words so grow a backbone, man up and start organizing a plan to take out the men who are causing serious grievance, or is that too much like hard work? Sit on your big lazy hairy backsides and you can be guaranteed that people like Karen will become just another statistic because YOU were quite willing to wait and see if someone else would do something. WELL THEY WON'T. Grow up and start being more proactive instead of pathetic whiners.

"Pathetic whiners" The peolpe on this site and other sites DPAC Black Triangle Pride`s Purge naming but a few. They are doing a lot if you bothered to cross reference with the links provided you would see that. RIP Karen. Currently in an email war with my Tory MP!

According to my MP James Wharton Stockton South (Tory of course) any source I provide him with is a biased view. Even though some of the statistics I provided him with were the DWP`s own. james.wharton.mp@parliament.uk if you live in my area please share your comments with the very unreasonable Wharton.

I have been through the ESA mockery, went to tribunal and won, for two years...than it will no doubt start again. My DLA will be up for review soon.. The thing is.. The powers that be are not going to back down on any of it, we should connect the dots people! This is a much greater conspiracy against humankind, designed to beat us all into total submission. So many people do not give a damn about others, my sister in law (who is well off) believes people on benefits are well off and living it up. I tried to educate her but she wasn't having any of it! UNITY is the only thing that MAY stop this evil agenda, but there is NO UNITY to be found anywhere. The world is getting very DARL my friends, Yet WE THE PEOPLE ARE MANY, and they are few! What are we going to do?!!

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I have a rare form of Crohn's Disease. I was diagnosed 21 years ago and have had many operations to remove strictures (narrowings in my bowel that grow like tumours) I suffer daily pain, often vomiting, malnourished and weak. I take mega-strong medications every day including chemo-style immuno-suppressants, opiates and anti-sickness injections. Sometimes I am fed into my central vein by tube, other times I can enjoy a nice meal out. I have children that I often can't look after and a husband who often looks after me.
Our lives are disrupted daily by the misery of a chronic condition.